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Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents
3:1-2 Proper Living, Particularly with Respect to Outsiders. Paul returns to describing "gospel living," this time with reference to interaction with outsiders. In general the qualities encouraged here (vv. 1-2) are in contrast to the description of the false teachers in 1:10-16.
3:1 ready for every good work. Whereas the false teachers are "unfit for any good work" (1:16), one of the purposes of the cross is to create a people "zealous for good works" (2:14).
3:2 The list closes with a call to take the initiative to show all manner of good to all sorts of people. Perfect courtesy (Gk. prautēta) is a good translation of an often misunderstood word literally meaning "meekness/gentleness."
